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Visitor Comments: 7

(7)
Michael Siref,
February 17, 2012 9:02 PM

volunteers of the Six Day War 1967

My father has a letter of Appreciation for services rendered during the Six Day War from an agency representative named Mordehai Bar-On ...Head of the YOUTH AND HECHLALUTZ DEPARTMENT of the JEWISH AGENCY.
They sent him tnhis letter with a beautiful certificate representing a TREE was PLANTED in his NAME in the "VOLUNTEER FOREST" IN THE jERUSALEM HILLS. My Father is ill and nhas never spoken of this period of his life . I found the letter and Certificate in an old trunk of his, and I would like to sit with him and discuss this wonderful life he had.
Thank you
Michael Siref

(6)
Anonymous,
May 23, 2011 9:26 PM

Thanks

This showed so much that happened when I was young and didn't understand what was happening. This makes me so proud of our noble, courageous people.

(5)
Andrew,
May 18, 2011 5:30 AM

The Battle for Eretz Israel is not yet over!

I fear we must do it all again. Next time may we from Ephraim fully support Jahudah, as blood brothers should. See Yeshayahu(Isaiah) chapter 11 verse13.
Am Israel Chai!!!

(4)
Linda Rivera,
May 17, 2011 7:41 PM

Heroes and Heroines Everyone of them!

Awesome! We owe so much to these heroes! What a great blessing to be used by Hashem to fulfill His promises made thousands of years ago in the Bible. The magnificent rebirth of Israel!

(3)
Gary Bowers,
May 17, 2011 5:08 PM

A Gentile who loves Israel and the Jewish people.

Such a moving video, one that brought tears to my eyes. It is a tribute to and representative of the sacrifices made by so many to accomplish Aliyah and rebuild the magnificant State of Israel. Personally, my passion for Israel has been expressed in a novel, entitled "O Israel."
May the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob continue to bless and keep the land of Israel, promised to the Jews as a title deed by the Lord himself. Her people are returning, and they will remain in the land forever. Shalom to Israel and to the people of the covenant.

(2)
Fiona CAPSTICK,
May 17, 2011 4:11 PM

Met one of the volunteers

I was honoured last week at the Israeli Embassy celebration of Yom Ha'atzmaut in Pretoria, South Africa to meet one of the volunteers from South Africa who went over in early 1948. What a humbling experience to hear that man speak! What a lesson in selfless, courageous dedication to a cause like no other in modern times.

(1)
Stella,
May 15, 2011 9:49 PM

Incredible stories of Jewish people from other countries coming to help their brothers and sisters, showing they really care and want to help the newly-created Jewish state. Mi KeAmcha Yisrael!

I live in rural Montana where the Cholov Yisrael milk is difficult to obtain and very expensive. So I drink regular milk. What is your view on this?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Jewish law requires that there be rabbinic supervision during the milking process to ensure that the milk comes from a kosher animal. In the United States, many people rely on the Department of Agriculture's regulations and controls as sufficiently stringent to fulfill the rabbinic requirement for supervision.

Most of the major Kashrut organizations in the United States rely on this as well. You will therefore find many kosher products in America certified with a 'D' next to the kosher symbol. Such products – unless otherwise specified on the label – are not Cholov Yisrael and are assumed kosher based on the DOA's guarantee.

There are many, however, do not rely on this, and will eat only dairy products that are designated as Cholov Yisrael (literally, "Jewish milk"). This is particularly true in large Jewish communities, where Cholov Yisrael is widely available.

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein wrote that under limited conditions, such as an institution which consumes a lot of milk and Cholov Yisrael is generally unavailable or especially expensive, American milk is acceptable, as the government supervision is adequate to prevent non-kosher ingredients from being added.

It should be added that the above only applies to milk itself, which is marketed as pure cow's milk. All other dairy products, such as cheeses and butter, may contain non-kosher ingredients and always require kosher certification. In addition, Rabbi Feinstein's ruling applies only in the United States, where government regulations are considered reliable. In other parts of the world, including Europe, Cholov Yisrael is a requirement.

There are additional esoteric reasons for being stringent regarding Cholov Yisrael, and because of this it is generally advisable to consume only Cholov Yisroel dairy foods.

In 1889, 800 Jews arrived in Buenos Aires, marking the birth of the modern Jewish community in Argentina. These immigrants were fleeing poverty and pogroms in Russia, and moved to Argentina because of its open door policy of immigration. By 1920, more than 150,000 Jews were living in Argentina. Juan Peron's rise to power in 1946 was an ominous sign, as he was a Nazi sympathizer with fascist leanings. Peron halted Jewish immigration to Argentina, introduced mandatory Catholic religious instruction in public schools, and allowed Argentina to become a haven for fleeing Nazis. (In 1960, Israeli agents abducted Adolf Eichmann from a Buenos Aires suburb.) Today, Argentina has the largest Jewish community in Latin America with 250,000, though terror attacks have prompted many young people to emigrate. In 1992, the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires was bombed, killing 32 people. In 1994, the Jewish community headquarters in Buenos Aires was bombed, killing 85 people. The perpetrators have never been apprehended.

Be aware of what situations and behaviors give you pleasure. When you feel excessively sad and cannot change your attitude, make a conscious effort to take some action that might alleviate your sadness.

If you anticipate feeling sad, prepare a list of things that might make you feel better. It could be talking to a specific enthusiastic individual, running, taking a walk in a quiet area, looking at pictures of family, listening to music, or reading inspiring words.

While our attitude is a major factor in sadness, lack of positive external situations and events play an important role in how we feel.

[If a criminal has been executed by hanging] his body may not remain suspended overnight ... because it is an insult to God (Deuteronomy 21:23).

Rashi explains that since man was created in the image of God, anything that disparages man is disparaging God as well.

Chilul Hashem, bringing disgrace to the Divine Name, is one of the greatest sins in the Torah. The opposite of chilul Hashem is kiddush Hashem, sanctifying the Divine Name. While this topic has several dimensions to it, there is a living kiddush Hashem which occurs when a Jew behaves in a manner that merits the respect and admiration of other people, who thereby respect the Torah of Israel.

What is chilul Hashem? One Talmudic author stated, "It is when I buy meat from the butcher and delay paying him" (Yoma 86a). To cause someone to say that a Torah scholar is anything less than scrupulous in meeting his obligations is to cause people to lose respect for the Torah.

Suppose someone offers us a business deal of questionable legality. Is the personal gain worth the possible dishonor that we bring not only upon ourselves, but on our nation? If our personal reputation is ours to handle in whatever way we please, shouldn't we handle the reputation of our nation and the God we represent with maximum care?

Jews have given so much, even their lives, for kiddush Hashem. Can we not forego a few dollars to avoid chilul Hashem?

Today I shall...

be scrupulous in all my transactions and relationships to avoid the possibility of bringing dishonor to my God and people.

With stories and insights,
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